–Laws and Authorities – This involves the Territorial laws and implementing regulations that establish the legal authority for the development and implementation of the disaster management programme and organization, and defines the emergency powers, authorities, responsibilities of the Governor, elected officials, and the Director of the Department of Disaster Management.

–Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) – The Territorial Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment process involves the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks to persons, public and private property, and structures. The data collected at the community/island level provides much of the data the Territory will use to produce its assessment of risk. The information collected during the HIRA will also be used for more detailed damage and loss estimation projections.

–Hazard Mitigation – The intent of a hazard mitigation process is to target resources and prioritize mitigation activities to lessen the effects of disasters to the population, communities, businesses, industries, and government.

–Resource Management – Resource management involves the systematic development of methodologies for the prompt and effective identification, acquisition, distribution, accounting, and use of personnel, facilities, and major items of equipment for essential emergency functions.

–Planning – Disaster management involves the development of several types of plans. This function deals with the most important plan: a Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy and Programming Framework (CDMSPF) that outlines an approach for reducing the hazards that the Territory faces and focuses on emergency response and short-term recovery to a disaster occurrence.

–Direction, Control, and Coordination – During the pre-, trans-, and post-phases of the emergency response, direction, control, and coordination allows officials to: 1) analyze the situation and decide how to quickly and effectively respond; 2) direct and coordinate response forces; 3) coordinate with other jurisdictions; and 4) use available resources efficiently and effectively.

–Communications and Warning Technology – Communications involves establishing, using, maintaining, augmenting, and providing backup for all types of communications devices required in day-to-day emergency and response operations. Warning comprises the dissemination of information to Government officials and the public and timely forecasts of all hazards requiring emergency response actions.

–Operations and Procedures – Development, coordination, and implementation of operational plans and procedures are fundamental to effective disaster response and recovery. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and checklists provide the detailed instructions that an organization needs to fulfill responsibilities assigned in the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).

–Logistics and Facilities – The identification, location, acquisition, distribution, and accounting for services, resources, material, and facilities are required to adequately support disaster management activities.

–Exercises – A programme of regularly scheduled exercises, designed for assessment and evaluation of emergency response plans and capabilities, is critical to the Territory’s Disaster Management Programme.

–Public Information and Education – Public Information and Education provides the general public with education on the nature of hazards, protective measures, and an awareness of the responsibilities of Government and citizens in an emergency/disaster. During a disaster event, this function focuses on providing accurate, timely, and useful information and instructions to people at risk in the community throughout the emergency period.

–Finance and Administration – The development of fiscal and administrative procedures designed to support a disaster management programme.

About Us

The Department of Disaster Management is a government department which operates under the legal authority of the Deputy Governor’s Office.